21 fun facts about Mexican Coca-Cola and why it’s so special

Love of Mexican Coke
Mexico is known as one of the largest consumers of soft drinks in the world. Coca-Cola, produced with sugar instead of corn syrup is one of the leading brands.

Love of Mexican Coke
Mexico is known as one of the largest consumers of soft drinks in the world. Coca-Cola, produced with sugar instead of corn syrup is one of the leading brands.

Photo: HECTOR MATA / AFP/Getty Images

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Sugar war
To protect its sugar industry Mexico issued a levy on imports of high-fructose corn syrup. Just last year the two countries came to an agreement to nix the tax.

Sugar war
To protect its sugar industry Mexico issued a levy on imports of high-fructose corn syrup. Just last year the two countries came to an agreement to nix the tax.

Photo: Rolls Press/Popperfoto / Popperfoto/Getty Images

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Healthier myth
There's a debate about whether Mexican Coke tastes better than U.S.-made Coke. One thing that's likely not true is that sugar is healthier than corn syrup. A report last year in the New York Times said that both have about the same amount of calories. less

Healthier myth
There's a debate about whether Mexican Coke tastes better than U.S.-made Coke. One thing that's likely not true is that sugar is healthier than corn syrup. A report last year in the New York ... more

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

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Import fees
Mexican Coke costs more to buy in the U.S. As much as $3 extra gets slapped on to the price of a tall bottle of Mexican Coke bought here.

Import fees
Mexican Coke costs more to buy in the U.S. As much as $3 extra gets slapped on to the price of a tall bottle of Mexican Coke bought here.

Photo: Lily FRANEY / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

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Cultural phenomenon
Mexican Coke has become so popular with hipster culture that its become a cult phenomenon.

Cultural phenomenon
Mexican Coke has become so popular with hipster culture that its become a cult phenomenon.

Photo: Jam Media / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Contour bottle
One of the things that makes Mexican Coke so special is the classic bottling.

Contour bottle
One of the things that makes Mexican Coke so special is the classic bottling.

Photo: LatinContent / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Global vs. Local
For some people drinking Mexican Coke is more responsible since it's made with locally grown product, cane sugar.

Global vs. Local
For some people drinking Mexican Coke is more responsible since it's made with locally grown product, cane sugar.

Photo: PYMCA / UIG via Getty Images

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Mexican pride
One of the appealing things about buying Mexican Coke is seeing the words "Hecho en México" which means "Made in Mexico" stamped on the packaging and bottles.

Mexican pride
One of the appealing things about buying Mexican Coke is seeing the words "Hecho en México" which means "Made in Mexico" stamped on the packaging and bottles.

Photo: Sergio Dorantes / The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

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World trade ruling
Mexico recently lost its fight to keep high-fructose corn syrup out of its products. The World Trade Organization recently ruled its efforts were a trade barrier.

World trade ruling
Mexico recently lost its fight to keep high-fructose corn syrup out of its products. The World Trade Organization recently ruled its efforts were a trade barrier.

Photo: Sergio Dorantes / The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

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Museum exhibit
Mexican Coke is currently part of the American Enterprise exhibit at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.

Museum exhibit
Mexican Coke is currently part of the American Enterprise exhibit at the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution.

Photo: Serge Attal / The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

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Heavily consumed
Mexican coke is consumed at nearly twice the rate of U.S. Coke, with more than 670 servings per person, per year in Mexico.

Heavily consumed
Mexican coke is consumed at nearly twice the rate of U.S. Coke, with more than 670 servings per person, per year in Mexico.

Photo: MATIAS RECART / AFP/Getty Images

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Formula
While the specifics of the formula is a secret you can find caramel color, caffeine, carbonated water, phosphoric acid, sugar and natural flavors in Mexican Coke.

Formula
While the specifics of the formula is a secret you can find caramel color, caffeine, carbonated water, phosphoric acid, sugar and natural flavors in Mexican Coke.

Photo: Nina Raingold / Getty Images

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It's own name
For those in the know, it's referred to as "MexiCoke".

It's own name
For those in the know, it's referred to as "MexiCoke".

Photo: Jam Media / LatinContent/Getty Images

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You can buy online
Mexican Coke is sold by the dozen on Amazon.com. It costs around $22.

You can buy online
Mexican Coke is sold by the dozen on Amazon.com. It costs around $22.

Photo: Jam Media / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Light vs. Diet
Mexican Coke's cousin Coke Light is the name of the diet version of the soft drink.

Light vs. Diet
Mexican Coke's cousin Coke Light is the name of the diet version of the soft drink.

Photo: Jam Media / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Sale's growth
Coke officials have said Mexican Coke has seen double-digit growth in the last few years.

Sale's growth
Coke officials have said Mexican Coke has seen double-digit growth in the last few years.

Photo: Jam Media / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Big box stores
Both Costco and Sam's Club carry Mexican Coke.

Big box stores
Both Costco and Sam's Club carry Mexican Coke.

Photo: Clasos / LatinContent/Getty Images

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Better for you?
Mexico's Coke has 85 mg of sodium and 150 calories, compared with U.S. Coke that's about 10 less calories and 40 less grams of sodium.

Better for you?
Mexico's Coke has 85 mg of sodium and 150 calories, compared with U.S. Coke that's about 10 less calories and 40 less grams of sodium.

Photo: Jim Steinfeldt / Getty Images

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Longevity
Mexican Coke in the glass bottle can stay fresh for 9 months. The plastic bottled version lasts just 10 weeks.

Longevity
Mexican Coke in the glass bottle can stay fresh for 9 months. The plastic bottled version lasts just 10 weeks.

Photo: Nina Raingold / Getty Images

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Tasting surveys
Some people just prefer Mexican Coke because it's different, cooler, some survey's show.

Tasting surveys
Some people just prefer Mexican Coke because it's different, cooler, some survey's show.

Photo: Nina Raingold / Getty Images

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Popularity
In some cities such as New York, Mexican Coke is one of the best-selling drinks in fine dining restaurants.

Popularity
In some cities such as New York, Mexican Coke is one of the best-selling drinks in fine dining restaurants.

Photo: Nina Raingold / Getty Images

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21 fun facts about Mexican Coca-Cola and why it's so special

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Plug the words “Mexican Coke” into any Internet search engine and you’re bound to come across a myriad of cultural information about this very specific kind of soft-drink. Sometime in the last decade Coca-Cola made in Mexico started to develop its own special following here in the United States.

It started to be imported legally into the Texas in 2005, but before that it found its way into U.S. stores in largely Latino neighborhoods through other means. Now, as reports are suggesting, it’s become more mainstream and available in big box stores and markets in neighborhoods anywhere hipsters and immigrants can be found. And the Coke bottled south of the border has a not-so-special ingredient that many say is the reason why it’s preferred by some over its American sibling: Cane sugar.